....and that kids should come first. Ok, who knows what Michael Jackson really believes about children, but generally speaking "worldly" people (sorry for the JW speak, but you know what I mean) indeed believe that "children are the future" and that "kids come first". Often, "worldly" parents act accordingly, and their children thrive because of the life choices (often real sacrifices) the parents make.
But JW's don't believe those things. And their children suffer because of it. JW's believe that someday soon, they'll be just as young and vital (read: important) as their own children.
Admittedly, not all "worldly" parents put their kids first in their decision making, but it strikes me that witness parents almost *never* do. A witness parent can be outrageously self-centered and selfish in their life choices, and so long as they frame their choices with a mantel of so-called spirituality, they won't ever give thought to the fact that their choices may have a profound negative effect on their children. Sure, "worldly" parents can make all sorts of excuses for selfish parenting too, but witnesses are so clueless they don't realize they even need an excuse for not putting kids first.
Kids First? "I Believe that Children are the Future"....
by SixofNine 17 Replies latest jw friends
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SixofNine
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Mastodon
I hear ya brother. JWs, more often than not, become all the things a 'Christian' should not... Selfish, judgmental, bitter, hateful and bigoted. All that transfer to the way they raise and the attention they give to their children.
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Hortensia
or so preoccupied with the damn religion that they don't even see their kids have feelings and needs.
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AnneB
But JW's don't believe those things. And their children suffer because of it. JW's believe that someday soon, they'll be just as young and vital (read: important) as their own children.
That's BS. You don't have anything to back up your accusations other than your own warped perspective.
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LtCmd.Lore
You don't have anything to back up your accusations other than your own warped perspective.
What makes you think his perspective is 'warped'.
You don't have anything to back up that accusation other than your own perspective.
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brinjen
But JW's don't believe those things. And their children suffer because of it. JW's believe that someday soon, they'll be just as young and vital (read: important) as their own children.
That's BS. You don't have anything to back up your accusations other than your own warped perspective.
Having been raised as a JW, I'd say SixoNine's perspective is pretty much spot on. Children aren't treated like children, they're not permitted to do many of the things that are perfectly normal to any child outside of that environment...
Myself & many of of my peers at the hall used to miss school on a regular basis for instance, due to meetings and field service as these were considered more important than the child's education. I can't begin to count the number of times I had to wait for a new pair of school shoes (or another essential) because my JW mother didn't have the money on account of an assembley or "special need" at the hall and the money had to go there instead.
Not to mention their complete willingness to allow their child to die rather allow a transfusion or to shun their child if the elders tell them to do so.
The WTBTS & pairofdice earth is all they live for, it takes priority over everything else in their lives, including their children...
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cognizant dissident
This is true of my own experience with my parents. My father viewed us as "property", very much in line with the patriarchal view of the old testament. He was not concerned with who we were as individuals and what would be best for us. Even when we did something "wrong" according to JW standards, he did not express concern that our behaviour was harmful or self-destructive to us or would harm our futures, he would be outraged because it reflected badly on him as a PO, on the family as a whole in the organization. I am not guessing that this is how he felt. These are his words that he used.
Later as adults, when his children surpassed him in any way, in sports, carreers, or financially, he would find away to belittle the accomplishement and make it of no account.
Needless to say, we aren't close.
Cog
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kerj2leev
Would you expect anything less from a religion who's leader's have no experience in raising children? Isn't this the same religion that tells young couples not to have kids, since we are so close to the end? Children are viewed as more of a burden than a blessing, since you won't be able to spend the majority of your time serving the organization.
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Satanus
Yes, so true. To a jw, children are a hindrance in the service to their publishing corporation. A burden that impedes their race to eternal life. Marriage, also.
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SixofNine
Yo Mastodon, it was great hanging out with you and your wife! We'll have to do more of it.